The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-08-10

lyon didn't have none 10 speak OF!
said Mrs. Holcomb stoutly, looking
little troubled nevertheless.
They're good children said the
deacon. They won't make no trouble
about It'll know that. But should
hate to have 'em disappointed. "
''We'll trust in Providence" said Mrs.
Holcomb simply. 1--WE know we're do
ing what's right. taking Malvina; and
don't believe but what it'll be for the
best"
You're always just the always
real good, said the deacon, with feel
ing, rs he picked up his hat and started
for the barn.
And Mrs. Holcomb reflected that she
could hardly be better than the deacon.
"She couldn't have had better day
for il, nohow," said the deacon delight
edly.
1t was week later. He stood at the
sitting-room window, looking out at the
snowy, sunny world, and rubbing his
work-roughened hands with quiet salts
faction.
From the kitchen there came the
odors of roasting pork, of simmering
-.
apple-sauce, of boiling turnips. and OF
hot mince-pies.
From the sofa came the sound of low
toned conversation, proceeding from the
corner where Kate and Mark Hill were
sitting, rather close together-Mark be-
ing a prospective member of the family,
dropped i'm TO dinner occasionally.
Up the road there came the jingle of
sleigh-bells
The deacon watched the little old
fashioned cutter eagerly as it came
nearer. For the deacon's resolution had
been faithfully carried out He had
written cordial invitation to poor
Malvina, amid the mild sneers of his
brothers, Seth and William, to be sure,
and the astonished disapproval of such
of his neighbors rs were in possession of
the facts; but with the laughing consent
of his children, and with the warm
abetting of his wife.
There had come prompt response to
his letter-a brief note, stating Miss
Malvina Holcomb's acceptance of her
uncle's hospitality; and stating, further,
that she would start directly, and would
arrive few days later.
The day had come.
The driver of the little cutter, turning
up at the hitching-post with flourish,
was Gene; and the small bundle of
green veil and waterproof cloak which
he lifted down in the snow was his
cousin Maivina.
The deacon hurried to the door; Mrs.
Holcomb stopped in the act of MASKING
the turnips and rushed out to the porch
and Kate followed hastily, with Mark
close behind her
The bundle had made its way up the
snowy path. The green veil had be-
come disarranged and there looked out
from under it sharp little face. with
bright dark eyes, and two rows of faded
cork-screw curls.
"We're glad to see you, Malvina, "
said the deacon; while Mrs. Holcomb
pulled her indoors kindly, and helped TO
undo the voluminous waterproof cloak.
1t was queer little woman that stood
warming her small hands at the Kitchen
stove and looking sharply from one to
another when the last wrap had been
removed.
She was certainly past fifty-so Kate
mentally decided. She also decided that
long earrings and juvenile necklace,
and tight curlS, besprinkled with gray,
were hardly becoming to her faded lit
tie face; and that her checked silk dress
was not in-the best of taste.
But she felt 4 warm impulse towards
her cousin Malvina. There was kind
ly sparkle in her eyes rs she looked
around the modest table-Mrs. Holcomb
had taken mp the dinner with hospitable
hastc-at the deacon, carving, with n
bcaming face: ut Kate and Mark. side
by side of course. and engaged at the
moment in an aflectionate alteration
at Mrs. Holcomb, dishing the apple
sauce; and ut Gene, who had come in,
cold and snowy, from the barn.
She did not appear to be much of a
talker. She answered their enquiries in
chirpy monosvllables, turning her gaze
meditatively around the small bare
room, and through the door to the calico
covered sofa and the well-worn rag car
pet of the sitting-room.
But she wore u look of quiet satisfac-
ton and enjoyment, and by the time the
last of the minneapolis had disappeared,
and the dishes been washed briskly by
Hates nimble hands, and they were all
gathered around the Sitting-room fire, il
had deepened into n positive warmth,
which softened her sharp eyes and gave
pink tinge to her faded cheeks.
II should judge, Uncle Holcomb, "
said Malvina, turning upon the deacon
IL should Judge, now, that you amt
SO well off as you might be-"
II was an embarrassing enquiry.
Mark Hill looked ut his boots and pre-
tended not to have heard it; and Kate
and Gene exchanged indignant glances.
Surely any other remark would have
come better from their cousin Malvina,
under the circumstances.
'Well, no, said the deacon meekiy.
"And suppose" Malvina continued
calmly suppose Uncle Seth and
Uncle William are better off now, amt
they?"
We'll yes said t.e deacon' "they
so the colonel said. | always called
him the colonel" said Malvina.
And there was Il suspicion of misti-
ness in her ewes rs she spoke the name.
There was n silence, broken sharply
by the violent jingling of Malvina's long
earrings, as she sat straight up in her
chair suddenly.
II sha'n't wait another minute, she